Book Review
A glimpse of eternal snows
By Dr Jane Wilson-Howarth
Published by Murdoch/Pier 9 ISBN: 9781921259265 and 1921259264
At our annual conference we held a questionnaire raffle with travel medicine-related books as prizes, one of which Joyce Skeet reviews here. Thanks to Jane Wilson-Howarth for contributing a personal message to include in the books won by two members.
This book gives a moving and detailed account of Jane Wilson-Howarth’s family life in rural Nepal. Jane and her husband Simon’s second son, David, was born with a hare lip and serious neurological disorders, but the family took the decision to return to remote Nepal when he was one month old.
This meant moving away from accessible medical care so that David could live his short life in dignity at home with his family. This also gave their first son, Alexander, a chance to grow up in a different culture and away from endless hospital appointments and waiting rooms.
The Nepali people accepted and admired David as “a beautiful baby with soft white skin” and were delighted when Jane and Simon took him and his brother on their first trek high up into the mountains. He was transported in a carrying basket on the back of a Sherpa and locals loved seeing him smiling at them. Jane often thought they had made the wrong decision, but David was happy and burbled contentedly to anyone who stopped to talk to him.
Part memoir, part travelogue
Jane writes with enthusiasm and knowledge, and you find yourself feeling as though you are there, seeing the colours of the mountains and clothing of the locals, smelling the smells of the market and hearing the sounds of Nepal.
This book is sad, but very gripping. It’s full of family life and love for their boys and brings to light the importance of the quality of life. I found it hard to put it down and would recommend it highly.
Jane is a recognised authority on travel health medicine and author of five books, including Bugs, bites and bowels, the essential guide. Visit her website.